The 3rd Asia International Water Week (3rd AIWW), co-hosted by China’s Ministry of Water Resources and the Asia Water Council (AWC), took place from September 23 to 26 in Beijing, China. Centered around the theme of “Enhancing Our Future Water Security,” the event gathered around 1,300 representatives from multiple sectors, including government agencies, research institutes, private sector and international organizations all around the world to address critical water challenges faced by Asian countries.
Comprised of an opening and closing ceremony, three plenary sessions and a wide array of thematic sessions, special sessions and side events, the 3rd AIWW aimed to promote international cooperation, share innovative solutions and enhance sustainable water management practices to ensure water security across the region and beyond, in alignment with global sustainable development goals.
Opening ceremony
The opening ceremony was convened on September 24, 2024, during which Mr. Li Guoying, China’s Minister of Water Resources delivered a keynote address, sharing China’s water governance philosolphy and practices as well as the historial achievement and transformation made during the past decade. Ministerial-level representatives from multiple Asia countries and international organizations shared their thoughts on sustainable water management.The Beijing Declaration, which outlined commitments to water policy innovation, digital transformation, climate change resilience, water-food-energy nexus, river protection and restoration as well as knowledge base and dissemination was signed during the opening ceremony.
Ministerial-level representatives from multiple Asia countries and international organizations attended the opening ceremony
Beijing Declaration
Plenary Sessions
The 3rd AIWW held three plenary sessions focusing respectively on Governance Wisdom for Shared Development, Asia Water Challenges and Solutions, and River Protection and Development: Harmony between Human and Nature.
The three sessions, respectively in the form of a high-level panel and 12 keynote reports, gathered experts from government agencies, academia, financial institutions, international organizations, etc., to discuss the multifaceted aspects of Asia’s water issues and explore sustainable solutions.
IWHR President Dr. Peng Jing delivered a keynote speech titled “River Ethics: Theory and China’s Practice,” where she highlighted the theoretical research and practical applications of river ethics in China.
Panel discussions of the 1st plenary session
Water Sciences Roundtable
The Water Sciences Roundtable, a featured event of 3rd AIWW co-hosted by International Research and Training Center on Erosion and Sedimentation (IRTCES) and IWHR, gathered leaders from UNESCO Category 2 Centers, UNESCO Chairs, research institutes, universities and international organizations to explore the curring edge of water science and technologies and planning for the drafting of the UNESCO Water Technology Report.
The Water Sciences Roundtable
Water CEO Roundtable
As a part of the Water Project Business Forum, one of the three main pillars of the AIWW, a Water CEO Roundtable was convened at which CEOs from water enterprises across Asia, including China, South Korea, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore, alongside international organization representatives, gathered to share insights. The discussion focused on challenges and opportunities in water resource development, management innovations, technological advancements, the energy transition within the water sector, to name a few.
The Water CEO Roundtable
Thematic sessions, side events and special sessisons
The 3rd AIWW featured a total of 25 thematic sessions, 16 side events, and 13 special sessions, where stakeholders engaged in in-depth discussions on six subthemes: innovative strategies and policies, digital transformation in water management, water disasters and climate change, water for food and energy security, water and watershed ecosystems, knowledge base and dissemination.
Thematic sessions, side events and special sessisons
Closing ceremony
The closing ceremony of 3rd AIWW celebrated the launch of an array of practical cooperation achievements realized during the event. Several Chinese institutions and agencies signed cooperation agreements such as MOUs and technical contracts with their foreign counterparts as well as international organizations.
Water Expo
The 3rd AIWW also boasted a Water Expo, which was open throughout the entirety of the event. The Expo featured a wide range of exhibits, bringing together global experts, industry leaders, and innovators to showcase cutting-edge technologies and solutions for water management.
The Water Expo of the 3rd AIWW
For more information about 3rd AIWW, please visit the official website:
